Differential Diagnosis for Eye Pain with Photophobia and Blurry Vision
Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Acute Angle-Closure Glaucoma: This condition is characterized by sudden onset of eye pain, photophobia, and blurry vision, often accompanied by nausea and vomiting. It is a medical emergency requiring prompt treatment to prevent permanent vision loss.
Other Likely Diagnoses
- Conjunctivitis: Inflammation of the conjunctiva can cause eye pain, photophobia, and blurry vision, especially if the conjunctivitis is severe or caused by a highly infectious agent.
- Keratitis: Inflammation of the cornea can lead to eye pain, photophobia, and blurry vision, and can be caused by infection, trauma, or other factors.
- Uveitis: Inflammation of the uvea, which includes the iris, ciliary body, and choroid, can cause eye pain, photophobia, and blurry vision, and can be associated with various systemic diseases.
- Dry Eye Syndrome: Severe dry eye can cause eye pain, photophobia, and blurry vision, especially if left untreated or if associated with other ocular surface diseases.
Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Endophthalmitis: A severe infection within the eye that can cause eye pain, photophobia, and blurry vision, and requires prompt treatment with antibiotics or antifungals to prevent permanent vision loss.
- Retinal Detachment: A condition where the retina separates from the underlying tissue, causing sudden onset of eye pain, photophobia, and blurry vision, and requiring urgent surgical intervention to prevent permanent vision loss.
- Optic Neuritis: Inflammation of the optic nerve can cause eye pain, photophobia, and blurry vision, and can be associated with multiple sclerosis or other demyelinating diseases.
- Temporal Arteritis: Inflammation of the temporal artery can cause eye pain, photophobia, and blurry vision, and can lead to permanent vision loss if left untreated.
Rare Diagnoses
- Scleritis: Inflammation of the sclera can cause severe eye pain, photophobia, and blurry vision, and can be associated with systemic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis.
- Corneal Ulcer: A rare but serious infection of the cornea that can cause eye pain, photophobia, and blurry vision, and requires prompt treatment with antibiotics or antifungals to prevent permanent vision loss.
- Ocular Migraine: A rare condition that can cause eye pain, photophobia, and blurry vision, often accompanied by headache and other migraine symptoms.
- Papilledema: Swelling of the optic disc can cause eye pain, photophobia, and blurry vision, and can be associated with increased intracranial pressure or other systemic diseases.